PENSACOLA, Fla. — Top-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State advanced in penalty kicks, 6-5, past No. 19 Columbus State University on Friday afternooon, capturing the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Southeast Region title and setting up a showdown with nationally-ranked No. 2 West Florida in the NCAA Quarterfinals on Sunday. The two teams played to a scoreless draw prior to PKs.

It was the first PK shootout win for Armstrong (19-1-2) in program history and keeps the Pirates’ drive towards a return trip to the Final Four alive. Columbus State (18-3-2) sees its season end on PKs in the NCAA Tournament for a third time in its history.

A tight defensive struggle between both teams generated just five shots between the two teams in the first half. The game opened up a little bit in the second half as each goalkeeper, Mary Mancin for Columbus State and Morgan Luckie for Armstrong, was called upon to make saves to preserve the shutout.

As time ran down in regulation, Columbus State’s Jackie Ellis had a final header in the 90th minute to try and give the Cougars the win, but Luckie made the save to send the match into overtime.

In the first overtime period, Mancin turned away a shot by senior Nadima Skeff and a header by senior Morgan Mitchell, while the Cougars’ Kansas Bayly was high on Columbus State’s only shot of overtime.

The Pirates had four shots in the second overtime period, but two saves from Mancin, the second on a Danielle Fey shot in the 108th minute, ensured that the two teams would settle matters in the penalty kick shootout.

Shooting first, the Pirates’ Emily Cattanach converted, followed by Columbus State’s Stephanie Lowery. Andye Dawson followed with a successful try for the Pirates and Kelsey Pelletier was on the mark for CSU.

Brooke Lamberth made the third penalty kick for Armstrong, followed by Jaci Carrithers for CSU. Danielle Fey made the fourth try for the Pirates and Casey Davis made the fourth for the Cougars. Kristina Pascutti made the fifth try for the Pirates and Kansas Bayly was then successful for the Cougars, making it sudden death in the shootout.

Freshman defender Taylor Russell converted the sixth penalty kick for Armstrong and then Luckie stopped the try of Kayla Brown for Columbus State to send the Pirates through to the NCAA Quarterfinals.

Armstrong will face South Region champion West Florida, a 2-0 winner over Tampa on Friday, at 2 p.m. at the UWF Soccer Complex for a berth in the NCAA Final Four.